Songbirds called for to crow about other countries' glory

Selectors have been in Whangarei to pick who will take to the field when Japan, Canada and Tonga play at Toll Stadium during the Rugby World Cup.
But come September this squad will not run on to the field padded up, sweating linament and with mouthguards in place. The only things they'll be trying to get their chops around are words in unfamiliar languages.
This squad will be a 30-strong Northland choir, at the games to sing the teams' national anthems - fan the fire for battle, and honour those distant homelands. There might not be a Japanese, Canadian or Tongan among them.
"I've never sung in Japanese before but I have sung in many languages," said Gayle Dowsett ahead of yesterday's trial at the Old Library. Ms Dowsett helped co-ordinate auditions in Whangarei for the games' choir under an agreement the New Zealand Choral Federation (NZCF) has with Rugby New Zealand 2011 to provide choirs to sing the 20 national anthems in their own languages at all 48 cup matches.
Lending his finely tuned ear at the "anthem" workshop and auditions in Whangarei yesterday was renowned conductor Peter Walls, MNZM. He is one of three choirmasters and conductors holding workshops and auditions in 11 centres, handpicking the choir members to sing for other countries' glory. About 50 hopefuls, mostly from Whangarei, did their best to impress Mr Walls yesterday.
"The youngest auditionee would be 12 or 13 and there are 70-year-olds trying out. I love it - they just sound so beautiful even with the mixture of abilities," Ms Dowsett said.
Among the songbirds was Whangarei Girls' High School student Anna Thompson, 16, who was drawn to auditions by the idea of being centre field. "It's something I won't get the opportunity to do again for a long time - or perhaps never. Plus it's good experience singing in front of a crowd at something this incredible."
To ensure a uniform quality of performance from the choirs throughout the country, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and a specially formed NZCF choir have recorded all 20 anthems for radio and internet use. The recordings will be available as a fail-safe measure at each venue, but on the day anthems will be performed live by the community choirs.
Japan's anthem is Kimigayo (The Emperor's Reign), officially adopted in 1888. O Canada! exhorts: "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee, God keep our land glorious and free!" Tonga's hymn-like anthem is called Koe Fasi Oe Tu'i Oe Otu Tonga.